Tanzanian President Hassan declared winner of disputed vote with 98 percent

Leading rivals were expelled from the race, but Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan emerged with nearly 98 percent of the vote and was declared the winner of the country’s disputed presidential election.

Hassan had won 97.66 percent of the vote on Wednesday, dominating every constituency, according to the final results released on Saturday.

Later on Saturday, according to state media, a swearing-in ceremony would take place.

Days of violent demonstrations followed the election of Hassan’s main rivals to the presidency and parliament, prompting what they termed widespread repression.

Despite having a heavy security presence, election day sprang into chaos, with some demonstrators tossing Hassan banners and setting government buildings on fire, according to reports citing witnesses.

According to figures gathered from a network of hospitals and health clinics, “about 700” people have been killed, according to Chadema, the main opposition force, who was prohibited from participating in the election.

At least 10 people were killed in three cities, according to credible reports, according to the UN’s human rights office.

Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, the country’s foreign minister, claimed on Friday that the elections were conducted fairly and that the authorities had acted appropriately.

He claimed that the government had “no official figures” regarding any protesters killed, and that “no excessive force has been used.” These 700 are not anywhere to be found.

UN Secretary-General “deeply concerned”

Hassan faced 16 candidates from smaller parties as she was elevated from vice president in 2021 following the sudden passing of her predecessor, John Magufuli.

After calling for electoral reforms, which he claimed were a prerequisite for free and fair elections, Chadema leader Tundu Lissu was imprisoned for months and charged with treason. He denies the accusations. Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo group, another opposition figure, was prohibited from running.

Before the election, rights groups claimed that Hassan oversaw a “wave of terror” in the nation, including a number of well-known abductions that grew worse in the following days. The government’s human rights record has been refuted by critics.

Hassan hasn’t made a statement in the media since the unrest started.